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Nemanja Kuntos, general manager of the downtown Business Improvement Area, hopes people will stick around after work and attend their jazz and blues concerts from 4-7 p.m. on Thursdays.
(TONY RICCIUTO / Niagara Falls Review)

It’s a new jazz and blues concert series for downtown Niagara Falls on Thursdays, but the first show had to be cancelled because of bad weather.

The series was to start July 26 and run until Sept. 13, from 4 to 7 p.m. on the lawn in front of city hall on Queen St. Unfortunately, it rained July 26, so the schedule has been extended a week to Sept. 20.

Organizers hope those who work downtown will stick around for a few hours before heading home.

“The reason we picked Thursdays was because that used to be a big night for a lot of the people who used to come downtown,” said Nemanja Kuntos, general manager of the downtown Business Improvement Area.

“We hope that when people get off work they will stick around to have a few drinks and try some of the food that will be featured that day from some of our businesses,” said Kuntos.

Wine will be available and TAPS will be providing the beer.

The Peter O’Shea duo from Hamilton is scheduled to perform Thursday.

“They are mostly jazz, but they do a little bit of everything,” said Kuntos. “We hope that people will really enjoy it as they come out of the office buildings downtown. They might also be able to do a little networking with other people downtown or from other parts of the city.”

A schedule of upcoming acts was not available.

Kuntos said he expects future performances to go on even if there’s a bit of rain, as long as there’s no thunder and lightening.

“We don’t want anyone to get hurt,” he said.

On Thursday nights, the Stamford Centre Volunteer Firemen’s Association holds the Steve Burnside Summertime Blues Concert Series from 7 to 9 p.m., which has been running for nine years.

“Why would they do this on a Thursday night? I just don’t understand it when they have seven days to pick from,” said Burnside.

“I hope it doesn’t affect us. Most of the people who come to our event, I’m in touch with them personally by e-mails. The people who come to Firemen’s Park want to see certain acts. Rod Nickson has his crowd, I have my crowd, Big John T-Bone Little has his.”